All traditional incandescent bulbs have been banned to accommodate the shift towards more efficient technologies. The less efficient halogen bulbs were phased out by the EU in 2018 and replaced by energy-efficient light bulbs. Therefore, Europe is now using less energy than ever before thanks to energy-saving lights.
Are there different types of energy-saving light bulbs?
Yes, according to Which?, there are two main types of energy-efficient bulbs:
1. LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) use 90% less energy than traditional bulbs
2. CFLs (Compact Fluorescent Lamps) use 60-80% less energy than traditional bulbs
What are the benefits of LEDs?
So let’s talk about energy-efficiency lighting facts.
If you replaced every bulb in your home with LED bulbs of the same brightness, you could save around £35 per year on your electricity bill.
Not only that but LEDs also:
Offer improved light quality from the moment they're switched on,
Come in a wide variety of sizes and fittings,
- Plus, each bulb lasts up to 25 years.
Want more energy-saving tips for lights and lamps?
Once you've installed your energy-saving light bulbs, you can save even more money by following these simple steps:
- Switch the light off when you leave a room.
- Only switch on the lights that you need.
- Install movement sensors and timers in appropriate rooms.
- Invest in smart bulbs to be able to control them from your smartphone or tablet – great for when you're away from home or just don't want to leave the sofa!
- Hire a qualified electrician to reposition your light switches to convenient areas.
Ever wondered whether dimming lights can save you energy? Well, the answer is yes! Light dimmers reduce the flow of electricity to the bulb, allowing the lights to operate with lower power inputs.
Smart lighting for a brighter future
We had a lightbulb moment and launched our very own Smart Home Store to help you create your own smart home!
What is a Smart Home?
Our Smart Home Store contains all of the latest smart technology you need to make your life easier and your home savvier. There’s plenty of smart tech for you to get your hands on that allows you to control the temperature, lighting, security and sounds of your home from your smartphone or tablet.
What are the benefits of smart lighting?
- Switch your lights on and off from your smartphone or tablet
Dim, brighten or even change the colour of your bulbs through the Phillips Hue app
- Connect your Amazon Alexa or Google Home to enable voice control
- Set up an alert for your bulbs to gradually brighten so you don’t miss that important meeting!
Want to be smart and savvy?
The Philips Hue Starter kit is a great place to start.
What's in the box?
2 x smart lightbulbs. You can choose either the standard screw or bayonet fittings for the two lightbulbs. Gone are the days of staring at a wall of various lightbulb fittings – these last for 25,000 hours!
1 x Philips Hue Bridge. The Bridge enables you to connect your two lightbulbs to your wifi. And if you decide to extend your smart bulb collection – you can connect up to 50 bulbs to the bridge so you can be in control of every room in your home.
Energy-saving hacks
These handy household tips could save you energy and money. Find out how to make your home cosier, and be good to your pocket and to our planet.
Energy-saving appliances
Find out how to improve the efficiency of your appliances or, if you're ready to replace them, there's some guidance on what to look out for.
Energy-efficient heating
Looking for a new heater or ways to make your heating system more efficient? We've got all the advice to keep your home snug and save you money.